Calhoun County library receives $12,000
Early Learning Coalition of Northwest FL awards
library Early Literacy Grants across five counties
PANAMA CITY – The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) awarded Library Early Literacy Grants to libraries in five regional counties: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Washington. Each of these library systems received $12,000 to:
• Purchase early literacy supplies and materials,
• Enact early literacy programming and outreach,
• Further infant, toddler, and preschool collections, programming, and outreach.
Suzan Gage, the Executive Director of ELCNWF states, “Libraries are a hub for literacy and learning that families rely on to access information, participate in community programs, and attain resources. We are so excited to partner with libraries in the counties we serve to expand on these resources, programs, and opportunities for families with young learners. It is our organization’s vision to have a Northwest Florida where all children receive world class early education and care thereby being fully prepared to learn upon entering kindergarten.”
In addition to building a foundation for future educational pursuits, library programs spark curiosity and help children develop a desire for lifelong learning. Each of these library systems has their own early literacy objectives that are unique to their communities. The funding from these grants will be used to increase engagement, awareness, and resources for established programs and in some instances form new early literacy programs to prepare children and their families across Northwest Florida for kindergarten.
Help Me Grow Northwest Florida (HMG), a program under ELCNWF, is also hosting free, in-person Child Development Screenings at each of the library systems that were awarded funding. Their mission is to promote early identification of developmental, behavioral, and educational concerns, then link families to community-based services at no cost. By attending programs such as Bay County Public Library’s Preschool Storytime and Charles Whitehead Public Library’s Bee Sweet, their goal is to provide families with children from birth to 8 years old an opportunity to speak with a HMG Care Coordinator, complete a developmental screening, and receive a referral on-site. For more information about Help Me Grow Northwest Florida, contact hmg@elcnwf.org.
About the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) is a non-profit organization which exists to help grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them. They envision a Northwest Florida where all children receive world class early education and care, thereby being fully prepared upon entering kindergarten. For more information about ELCNWF and the programs they offer, visit www.ELCNWF.org.
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